"Oh yeah? Like what?" Diana smiled as we turned and started to walk back to our house.

"Like swimming," Attie suggested.

"Swimming?" Scott groaned, "You're obsessed with frikkin' swimming!"

"So? I say we go down to the community pool, the one with the diving boards," Attie said excitedly. I nodded and grinned at her. Happy to be anywhere she was; especially if she was wearing less than normal.

*~*~*~*

"Come on up here guys!" Attie called down to us from the ten metre diving platform.

"Are you crazy?" Tasha laughed at her as she pouted. Attie took a running start and threw herself off the platform, landing in the water gracefully. She came up for air and swum over to the side of the pool. Clint was staring at herwith pure admiraion plastered all over his face.
I rolled my eyes at him as Diana and I slipped into the shallow end of the pool with Tasha and Dave.

Bob and Clint were sitting on the edge of the pool talking to Attie. I took Diana's hand in mine and sighed as I sat down on the pool stairs.
"What's the matter?" Diana asked softly. I shrugged, "I dunno, just thinking about fighting I suppose. I mean, I'm not trained for this sort of stuff. I'm more likely to get eaten alive than do any good."

"You'll do your best and that's all that matters," She replied and leant her head on my shoulder.

But what if my best wasn't good enough? I asked myself sadly, wrapping and arm around Diana's shoulders tightly. What if I did something that cost me my life... or worse, the life of one of my friends?

*~*~*~*

"Check it out man," Bob whispered to Clint and tilted his head in the direction of a pretty girl who had just situated herself near us on the grass. She took off her tshirt and then lay down on her stomach, pulling a book from her bag.

"Want me to go talk to her?" I asked Bob.

"Get real," He snorted and slipped into the pool, standing next to me, leaning his head on his arms and watching the girl silently. She had beautiful olive skin and brown curls that were pulled back in a messy ponytail.

"Why won't you talk to her if you think she's pretty?" I pressed.
"Because," Bob answered stubbornly.

"Fair enough," Clint rolled his eyes.

"Don't you start on me Mr. Afraid," Bob smirked at Clint, who blushed furiously. I frowned slightly and shook my head. Whatever that was about.

*~*~*~*

My heart started beating wildly as Attie wrapped her arm around my body and lay her head on my chest. Bob, Attie and I were just lying lazily, soaking up the sun. I glanced over at Tasha, Dave, Scott and Diana. The four of them were still where they were when we first arrived, in the shallow end of the pool, the two pairs kissing softly. I sighed and returned my attention back to Attie.

One day, I promised myself. One day that'll be Attie and me.

I bit my bottom lip in agony as Attie reached out and started to circle my nipple with her pointer finger, my chest started heaving as I tried to control myself. I grabbed her hand suddenly and interlaced my fingers with hers.

"I was enjoying that a bit too much," I whispered, blushing as she giggled.

"Sorry," She whispered back and snuggled closer to me. I closed my eyes and cherished the feel of her next to me, pretending it was always like this.

*~*~*~*

"Are we doing anything tonight?" I asked Dave as he continued to kiss my neck softly.

"Making out," He mumbled against my neck and bought his around to squeeze my butt. I giggled and rolled my eyes.

"That's not what I meant," I snorted.

"We could hire out some movies," He shrugged. I nodded and grinned at him, kissing him lightly again.

*~*~*~*

I turned the page of my book about shape-shifters and continued to read slowly, not wanting to miss anything. I was the only one who had this power, I had to know everything there is to know. I shivered slightly as the sun continued to go down. I'd come down to the pool to relax while reading.

I reluctantly packed up my stuff and pulled my shirt back over my head. I sighed as I watched a large group of teens walk past, chatting about what movies to rent and what pizza's to order tonight. If only my life was that simple again. My eyes caught those of a tall, thin boy in the group and he smiled at me softly.

I smiled in return, somewhat shocked and busied myself with my stuff. By the time I looked up again, they were gone.

*~*~*~*